An Earagail Integrated Management Plan

Photograph by Gareth Wray Photography

Protect, Equip, & Sustain

Background to project

As its popularity has grown over the years, a key challenge for Errigal has been unmanaged access to its summit and associated upland areas which, in combination with natural erosion, has resulted in the degradation of the natural resource and the loss of important habitat. In response to these challenges, the local development committee, ‘Forbairt Dhún Lúiche’, approached Donegal County Council requesting a solution to the problem. From there, the Errigal Stakeholders Group was formed, and this partnership of national, regional and local interests have been working together to remedy this situation.  Hugely enabled and supported by the ASCENT Project (see more about the ASCENT Project here), the partners wanted to find new ways of looking after this special area; develop fresh perspectives on promoting its enjoyment and exploring responsive approaches to sustaining its nearby community of Dunlewey for whom this place is home.  

As part of the ASCENT project, a  management plan for Errigal was developed which provides a strategic framework to:

  • guide decision-making and integrate interventions to protect the upland environment,

  • foster public understanding of its significance

  • develop its surrounding economy.  

Built on the principles of sustainability, accountability, inclusivity and collaboration, the integrated management plan will ensure that policy imperatives, community resources and public investment are marshalled to best effect.

A key consideration during the preparation of the management plan was the need to define a formal management structure for the Errigal Stakeholder group to enable them to co-ordinate the delivery of actions.  In 2022 Cairde na hEaragaile CLG was established and comprises representatives from the original stakeholders along with representatives from the local business community and an open membership. 

Cairde na hEaragaile CLG ‘s main objective is:

“To facilitate the responsible enjoyment of Errigal in a way that protects its special qualities and benefits the local community”

 

The Integrated Management Plan for Errigal is a guide for all the partners as they work collaboratively to realise its vision.  It seeks to balance the economic, social, cultural and environmental values that are critical for the long-term health of the area’s ecosystems, economy and community and contains three key strategies. 

  • Restore & Protect:  maintain the ecological integrity of the mountain

  • Resource & Equip:  achieve success through continued partnership working and collaborating

  • Sustain & Grow:  realise Dunlewey’s ambition to become a visitor hub and gateway to Errigal.

Restore & Protect

Maintain the ecological integrity of the mountain.

Building on the momentum of the ASCENT Project, and working in conjunction with landowners, this key strategy provides the primary guidance for restoring and maintaining the ecological integrity of Errigal as a priority in managing the mountain. It works to support and restore the ‘favourable condition’ of the natural features and ecological processes by restoring the upland habitats; tackling head-on the path to the summit; equipping those charged with looking after the mountain with the skills required to effectively monitor change and responsively mitigate impacts; and encouraging people – particularly visitors - to connect with the mountain and take responsibility

Resource & Equip

A key consideration here was the need to define a formal management structure for the Errigal Stakeholders to enable them to co-ordinate the delivery and monitor the impact of the integrated management plan. Given the protected status of Errigal and much of the surrounding area and informed by the experience of others in similar situations, a ‘collaborative adaptive management’ model is recommended. This means that, as the ASCENT project has ably demonstrated, the management regime on the ground needs to continually respond to the learning gleaned from actions taken on the ecosystem being affected.

Sustain & Grow

An essential aspect of managing Errigal is to create a physical link with and develop nearby Dunlewey to enable the community there not only to provide a key role in orientating visitors to the mountain, but also to derive benefit from those visitors and grow its visitor economy. Within the context of providing visitors with a safer, alternative Errigal experience – attention is focused on the opportunities to:

· provide visitors with different perspectives on the mountain from key vantage points along an interconnected network of trails and paths

· experience deeper encounters with the history and cultural heritage of the surrounding area through the development of a suite of guided itineraries

· participate in activity tourism, through for example, activating the lakes for water based activities

· celebrate the significance of this place through a curated calendar of events that not only showcase the natural beauty of the area and efforts underway to keep it that way but also invite visitors to stay longer and experience the cultural heritage and contemporary relevance of this special place.